Zephaniah 1:17

Translations

Modern

I will bring such distress on mankind that they will walk like the blind, because they have sinned against the LORD. Their blood will be poured out like dust and their flesh like dung.

Traditional

And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the Lord: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung.

Literal

And I will bring distress to mankind, and they will walk like the blind, for against YHWH they have sinned; and their blood will be poured out like the dust, and their flesh like dung!

Latin

Et tribulabo homines, et ambulabunt ut cæci, quia Domino peccaverunt; et effundetur sanguis eorum sicut humus, et corpora eorum sicut stercora.

Original

Hebrew

English

I will bring such distress on mankind that they will walk like the blind, because they have sinned against the LORD. Their blood will be poured out like dust and their flesh like dung.

Notes

Zephaniah 1:17

walk like the blind: This is an example of God's justice (see also Romans 1:21–32). God’s people were blind in their moral choices and in their relationship with him. They could not see what was right or wrong (see Exodus 23:8; Romans 2:19; 1 John 2:11). Because they sinned against the Lord and disobeyed his commands, they received the punishments promised in God’s covenant (Deuteronomy 28:28–29).

Zephaniah 1:14–18

The meaning of the day of the Lord expands to include God's actions involving the entire earth.

Zephaniah 1:7–18

We should view the entire passage as one large event. Some parts were fulfilled when Jerusalem fell in 586 BC. Other parts repeated in different historical periods, like the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. The whole prophecy will be fulfilled at the end of time. Then, God will fully and finally judge the world and renew creation (Revelation 19:11–22:5).

Zephaniah 1:1–2:3

Zephaniah's message from the Lord warns about worldwide judgment (Zephaniah 1:1–6). He urges his readers to repent (Zephaniah 1:7–13) before disaster strikes (1:14–18). He encourages them to seek the Lord and live righteously and humbly, hoping they may avoid his judgment (Zephaniah 2:1–3).

Theme notes and profiles

The Day of the Lord

Events

Prophecies of Zephaniahc. 610 BC

Related verses

Psalm 83:10
…who perished at Endor and became like dung on the ground.
Revelation 3:17
You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.
Jeremiah 10:18
For this is what the LORD says: “Behold, at this time I will sling out the inhabitants of the land and bring distress upon them so that they may be captured.”
Jeremiah 2:17
Have you not brought this on yourself by forsaking the LORD your God when He led you in the way?
2 Peter 1:9
But whoever lacks these traits is nearsighted to the point of blindness, having forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
Micah 7:13
Then the earth will become desolate because of its inhabitants, as the fruit of their deeds.
Matthew 15:14
Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”
Romans 11:7
What then? What Israel was seeking, it failed to obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened,
Jeremiah 4:18
“Your ways and deeds have brought this upon you. This is your punishment; how bitter it is, because it pierces to the heart!”
Lamentations 5:16–17
The crown has fallen from our head. Woe to us, for we have sinned!
Isaiah 29:10
For the LORD has poured out on you a spirit of deep sleep. He has shut your eyes, O prophets; He has covered your heads, O seers.
1 John 2:11
But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness. He does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

Zephaniah 1:17

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